GOALS & RESULTS

climate change
  • Develop business activities to combat and respond
    to climate change
7 Affordable and Clean Energy
13 Climate Action

To combat global climate change, YKK commits to GHG emissions reduction targets to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and support the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Additionally, YKK will adapt to climate change and respond by developing stable business activities.

GOALS

(By 2030)

  • Reduce emissions of CO2 and other GHGs in our company and supply chains.
    • Scope 1+2: 50% reduction (from FY2018 baseline)
    • Scope 3: 30% reduction (from FY2018 baseline)
  • 100% of electricity used is renewable energy

(By 2050)

  • Aim for zero GHG emissions (climate neutrality).
  • Reduce energy consumption through improved manufacturing methods and equipment, streamlined operations and processes.
  • Install renewable power sources at Fastening Business locations where feasible.
  • Reduce our Scope 2 emissions by purchasing external renewable energy where possible.
  • Reduce our Scope 3 emissions by switching to more sustainable materials.
  • By 2025, abolish all coal use in YKK facilities.
  • Reduce risks associated with climate-related disasters (flooding, heat waves, reduced precipitation, etc.)
  • Build supply chains that take climate change-related disaster risks into account.
FY2023 results FY2024 plan
  • Scope 1+2 GHG emissions:
    238,812t (56.2% reduction from FY2018 baseline)
  • Scope 3 GHG emissions:
    587,848t (32.7% reduction from FY2018 baseline)
  • Renewable energy ratio of all power consumption: 56.5%
  • Locations running on 100% renewable energy: 37
  • Solar power generation facilities in operation: 10 (28 sites in total)
  • Plans formulated to update coal-fired boilers
  • Continue carrying out initiatives that aim to achieve the FY2030 emission reduction targets based on the SBTi certification to limit the temperature rise due to climate change to less than 1.5°C, and to reduce emissions that exceed that threshold
  • Scope 1+2 GHG emissions:
    407,991t or less (25.2% or more reduction from FY2018 baseline)
  • Scope 3 GHG emissions:
    742,238t or less (15.0% or more reduction from FY2018 baseline)
  • 10 solar power generation facilities planned
  • Eliminate coal use
material resources
  • Achieve manufacturing
    that increases the sustainable use of resources
12 Responsible Consumption and Production

In the Fastening Business, we will reduce the environmental impact of the products that we make and the packaging that we use, and shift to sustainable materials, in order to reduce waste and the use of petroleum derived materials throughout the lifecycle of our products. We will help achieve a circular society, protect ecosystems, and engage in enriching activities.

GOALS

(By 2030)

  • Switch to 100% sustainable textile materials for fastening products (recycled materials, naturally-derived materials, etc.).
  • Replace all vinyl/plastic packaging materials with sustainable packaging, including recyclable/reusable forms, in the Fastening Business.
  • Sustain a waste recycling rate of at least 90%.
  • Reduce the amount of waste to be landfilled or incinerated at all production sites.
  • Promote procurement that takes biodiversity (environmental issues) into account.
  • Contribute to resource recycling by implementing manufacturing and product design that reuses resources and avoids producing waste. Focus product design on improving durability, making products repairable, and recyclable.
  • Develop fastening product resource recycling technologies.
  • Engage in ecosystem conservation activities.
FY2023 results FY2024 plan
  • Proportion of sustainable materials: 38% (up 12 points year-on-year)
  • Switched to sustainable packaging materials: 31.0%
  • The YKK JAPAN Company (Kurobe Manufacturing Center) completed the switch to eco-friendly products for the main outer packaging cardboard of fastening products
  • Waste recycling rate: 91.9%
  • Conducted a survey of suppliers that already do business with YKK, or plan to do business with YKK, to determine whether or not they are certified with the Copper Mark*
  • Started sales of "Revived Renewal Series" so that YKK® zippers can be used for longer durations
  • Established in-house recycling technology and operational flow for copper and zinc alloys used in YKK zippers
  • YKK Center Park's Furusato-no-Mori (Hometown Forest) designated as a Nature Coexistence Site
  • Proportion of sustainable materials FY2024: 51%
  • More switchovers from plastic packaging materials to sustainable alternatives
  • Solely target suppliers with "The Copper Mark" certification, and encourage non-certified suppliers to obtain certification
  • Plan to begin sales of new "Revived Replacement Series" products
  • Develop zippers made of recyclable materials to promote recycling of garments
  • Establish facilities and technologies for practical in-house recycling, and verification of practical implementation at overseas sites
  • Implement community-based ecosystem conservation activities
water resources
  • Achieve sustainable use of water
6 Clean Water and Sanitation

With the goal of sustainable water usage, reduce the load on local communities and ecosystems by reducing water intake and strengthening wastewater management according to regional circumstances.

GOALS

(By 2050)

  • Reduce water intake by 30% (from FY2018 baseline)
  • Reduce water intake through initiatives such as streamlined use/reuse of water.
  • Strictly manage wastewater at all manufacturing sites in accordance with government regulations and YKK in-house standards, which are based on industry standards such as ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals).
  • Reduce water risks at manufacturing sites.
FY2023 results FY2024 plan
  • Water intake: 8.898 million t (22.1% reduction compared to FY2018)
  • Water intensity: 13.1% reduction (compared to FY2022)
  • Introduced manufacturing facilities that consume less water, as well as new water recycling facilities (13 sites in total)
  • Conducted wastewater management studies based on ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
  • Analyzed water risks at each manufacturing site
  • Water intensity: 2% reduction (compared to FY2023)
  • Introduce manufacturing facilities that consume less water, as well as new water recycling facilities
  • Conduct wastewater management based on ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
  • Implement water risk reduction measures in areas with high water risk (in-house standards)
chemical management
  • Management and reduction
    of chemical substances
14 Life Below Water
15 Life On Land

We will work to minimize the impact on the natural environment and people by appropriately managing and reducing the amounts of chemical substances we used to help ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

GOALS

(By 2030)

  • Promote reductions of harmful chemical substances.
  • Establish our own standards (YKK RSL) for managing the use of chemical substances in all products and manufacturing processes, and promote the reduction of harmful chemical substances via ongoing risk communication with stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards utilizing OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and AFIRM RSL for products standards, and our own standards based on ZDHC MRSL for manufacturing process management standards. Mandate compliance with industry standards at our locations around the world.
  • Develop new production methods that reduce the use of hazardous chemical substances and that lower environmental impacts while maintaining product quality.
  • Formulate air and soil pollution countermeasures when using hazardous chemical substances. Help protect the global environment through use of these countermeasures.
FY2023 results FY2024 plan
  • Informed suppliers about the YKK RSL (2023 version) and conducted compliance surveys (1,663 companies)
  • Conducted annual revisions of the YKK RSL (2024 version) based on social and customer needs
  • Conducted tests to monitor status of compliance with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification and the AFIRM RSL
  • Globally deployed the ZDHC MRSL compliance level assessment system
  • Selected alternative materials for non-compliant materials in the YKK RSL (2023 version) and promoted the development of materials, manufacturing processes, etc.
  • Conducted fluorine testing of all purchased materials and promoted switching to materials that are alternatives to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
  • AcroPlating® technology unit sales volume as a percentage of brass sliders: 25% (up 7 points year-on-year)
  • Inform suppliers about the YKK RSL (2024 version) and conduct compliance surveys
  • Conduct annual revisions of the YKK RSL (2025 version) based on social and customer needs
  • Conduct tests to monitor status of compliance with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification and the AFIRM RSL
  • Continue to introduce and deploy InCheck reports, a third-party assessment, in the ZDHC MRSL compliance level assessment
  • Select and switch to alternative materials from non-compliant materials in the YKK RSL (2024 version)
  • Enhance inspections of sites that use chemical substances to prevent soil pollution
respect people
  • Upholding human rights and ensuring fair,
    safe work environments
5 Gender Equality
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
10 Reduced Inequalities
16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

YKK believes in the universal philosophy of respecting the dignity and rights of all human beings and is committed to contributing to a diverse and sustainable society.

GOALS
  • By valuing diversity, being inclusive, respecting human rights, and improving the work environment, we will create better and safer workplaces throughout our supply chains. We will ensure that everyone can work with peace of mind, make the most of his or her individuality, and lead a healthy and happy life.
  • Enact improvements based on changing societal demands and implement ongoing YGCC audits based on the YKK Philosophy of the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
FY2023 results FY2024 plan
  • Implemented YGCC self-checks/audits at all applicable locations (ongoing)
  • Based on the results of implementation, identified issues to be addressed and developed plans for implementation
  • Conduct YGCC audits, and review inspection items and assessment criteria based on their results
  • Establish a weekly management system for working hours at each company